Comparison of acute subjective and heart rate effects of nicotine intake via tobacco smoking versus nasal spray

doi:10.1016/0091-3057(94)90013-2

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

Volume 47, Issue 2, February 1994, Pages 295-299

https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(94)90013-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

Nicotine is the primary psychoactive constituent of tobacco smoke, but it is not clear whether the reinforcing effects of cigarette smoking can be attributed solely to nicotine intake. In this study, two groups of male and female smokers participated in three sessions involving intermittent exposure to moderate, low, or no nicotine doses via controlled tobacco smoking (“smoke,” n = 20) or measured-dose nasal spray (“spray,” n = 16). Visual analog scales of subjective effects (VAS) and heart rate (HR) were obtained within 5 min of each dosing. Plasma nicotine levels indicated comparable dosing between methods. For both methods, there were significant nicotine dose effects for most subjective measures and HR. More importantly, the pattern of effects across doses was virtually identical between methods, as nicotine intake via smoking or spray significantly increased HR and the VAS scales of Head Rush and Dizzy, decreased Hunger and Desire to Smoke, and had no effect on Comportable, Jittery, or Relaxed. These results suggest that rapid nicotine uptake by novel methods may provide effects very similar to nicotine intake by smoking.

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Nicotine is the primary mediator of the subjective and potentially addictive effects of tobacco [11].
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Nicotine, via a family of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, elicits many physiological responses, including alterations in anxiety. Studies suggest that the effects of nicotine on anxiety may support smoking behaviors. We reported previously that mice lacking the beta3 nicotinic receptor subunit demonstrate increased activity in the open field arena. Open field activity has been shown to be a composite of anxiety and locomotor activity, behaviors that are both altered by nicotine. We therefore sought to differentiate the role(s) of beta3-containing receptors in anxiety and locomotor activity. Anxiety behaviors were examined in the elevated plus maze, the black/white box and the mirrored chamber. Beta3 null mutant mice demonstrated decreased anxiety with more time spent on the open arm of the elevated plus maze than their wildtype littermates. No significant differences were observed with the black/white box or the mirrored chamber. Levels of the stress hormone, corticosterone, were significantly higher in the beta3 null mutant mice at baseline and following exposure to stress. Increased locomotor activity in the Y-maze was also observed for the beta3 null mutant mice, but only following exposure to stress. These findings strongly suggest that beta3-containing nicotinic receptors influence anxiety and may be critical for the continuation of smoking behaviors.
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This is interesting because previous research suggests that women are less responsive to the reinforcing properties of nicotine administered without exteroceptive smoking cues than men (Perkins, 1996). However, our in-session mood self-report results are consistent with the nicotine self-administration studies that found women were less responsive than men to the hedonic effects of nicotine administered through nasal spray, in the absence of exteroceptive smoking cues (Perkins, 1996; Perkins, Donny, & Caggiula, 1999; Perkins et al., 1996, 1994). The increase in deprived women's self-report of in-session negative mood found here may reflect increased reactance to the aversive sensory properties of the nicotine nasal spray compared to men.
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¹: Requests for reprints should be addressed to Kenneth A. Perkins, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

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Comparison of acute subjective and heart rate effects of nicotine intake via tobacco smoking versus nasal spray

Abstract

Addict. Behav.

J. Chromatogr.

J. Subst. Abuse

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Utility of subjective-effects measurements in assessing abuse liability of drugs in humans

Br. J. Addict.

Smoked and intravenous cocaine in humans: Acute tolerance, cardiovascular and subjective effects

J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.